Epigenetic Changes In The Prostate Cancer Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,954.00
Summary
Many men with prostate cancer have slow-growing tumours that are unlikely to spread outside the prostate. These men with low-risk cancer are often monitored to prevent unnecessary aggressive treatments. However, the current methods used to distinguish between slow-growing and aggressive tumours are imprecise and there is a risk of missing aggressive tumours. We aim to identify new biomarkers of prostate cancer by measuring modifications to the DNA in the tumour and surrounding cells
Why Is The Bone Marrow A “hot-spot” For Myeloma Plasma Cell Metastasis: Are There Gremlins In The System?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,979.00
Summary
Most cancer patients die because their cancer spreads from a primary site to other tissues in the body. Once escaping the primary site, 70% of all tumours will spread to bone. This raises the question, why is bone a preferred destination for cancer cells? We provide evidence that Gremlin1, made by non-cancer cells within bone, is a key protein that supports cancer growth. This study will examine whether inhibiting Gremlin1 is a potential therapy to inhibit cancer spreading to bone.
Non-Alzheimer’s Disease Degenerative Dementias: Identifying Prodromal Genetic/familial Phenotypes, Modifying Factors, And Protein Variations Involved In Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,449,246.00
Summary
This proposal will generate new knowledge necessary for advancing the diagnosis of the non-Alzheimer’s disease dementias. We will identify the preclinical forms of frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia using similar methods to those successfully employed to advance diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Importantly, our team has the capacity to translate these protocols into clinical practice and into further advances in biological knowledge that is necessary for future therapeutic targeting
Randomised Controlled Trial To Determine Efficacy And Safety Of Prescribed Water Intake To Prevent The Progression Of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (PREVENT-ADPKD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$746,751.00
Summary
Increasing the daily intake of water is well known to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones but there is growing evidence that it may also benefit other kidney diseases, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This study will determine if adequate hydration can slow the progression of ADPKD, and could provide a relatively simple and cheap treatment for preventing the onset of kidney failure due to this disease.
Tracking Epidermal Clonal Evolution During Skin Cancer Induction And Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,168.00
Summary
Skin cancer is the most frequent form of cancer in Australia and in many parts of the world. It is strongly connected to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In this project, we will use our capacity to track individual cells, to observe the heterogeneity of tumours and the lesions that precede them. We will show the importance of this heterogeneity in tumour progression unveiling the limits of current therapies against skin cancer.
CKD-FIX: A Randomised, Controlled Trial Of Allopurinol In The Slowing Of Kidney Disease Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,917,147.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem affecting over 1.5 million Australians and is associated with increased risk of death, heart disease and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Current treatments to slow progression to ESKD are limited. The CKD-FIX trial aims to find out whether treatment with allopurinol, a commonly used drug for gout prevention, safely and effectively slows CKD progression. This could lead to significant health and economic benefits.
Role Of Brm In Skin Tumour Progression From Benign To Malignant
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,267.00
Summary
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Skin cancer is 3 times as common as all other cancers combined and continues to increase in incidence, particularly in the aging population. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to the ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation causes the appearance of solar keratosis, or sunspots, benign lesions that are not particularly dangerous to human health. Some of these develop into malignant squamous cell carcinomas that ....Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Skin cancer is 3 times as common as all other cancers combined and continues to increase in incidence, particularly in the aging population. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to the ultraviolet radiation found in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation causes the appearance of solar keratosis, or sunspots, benign lesions that are not particularly dangerous to human health. Some of these develop into malignant squamous cell carcinomas that can spread to other tissues and are potentially fatal. Little is known about the biological mechanisms involved in solar keratosis development into squamous cell carcinomas. We have identified the gene brm as being involved in this process. It has not previously been recognised that this gene is important for skin cancer development and therefore our preliminary studies have identified a potential new target. We will study the role of this gene in ultraviolet radiation induced skin carcinogenesis, determine whether it is mutated by ultraviolet radiation in human skin cancer, and what role in plays in some key biological processes in skin cancer development. This study will expand our understanding of malignant conversion during human skin carcinogenesis, the most prevalent human cancer in Australia.Read moreRead less
The Contribution Of Subunit Interfaces To Receptor Activation In Ligand Gated Ion Channels
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,070.00
Summary
This project seeks to provide insights into new mechanisms that could be used to enhance or inhibit neuronal signalling. The family of pentameric neurotransmitter receptors that are key components in the process of neuronal signalling and are the target of this study. It will investigate the molecular motions that occur when the receptor shifts from the resting state to the activated state in the presence of neurotransmitter. This critical to understanding the normal function of these receptors ....This project seeks to provide insights into new mechanisms that could be used to enhance or inhibit neuronal signalling. The family of pentameric neurotransmitter receptors that are key components in the process of neuronal signalling and are the target of this study. It will investigate the molecular motions that occur when the receptor shifts from the resting state to the activated state in the presence of neurotransmitter. This critical to understanding the normal function of these receptors in the brain and how they can be modulated.Read moreRead less
Topological order and anyons: quantum engineering of emergent physics. Australia is recognized as one of the world leaders in the area of quantum information and computation. As a frontier technology with tremendous potential but engineering challenges it is vital we expand our theoretical landscape to better steer experimental development. A promising new paradigm is topological quantum computation which uses particles with exotic statistics called anyons that do not exist naturally in three d ....Topological order and anyons: quantum engineering of emergent physics. Australia is recognized as one of the world leaders in the area of quantum information and computation. As a frontier technology with tremendous potential but engineering challenges it is vital we expand our theoretical landscape to better steer experimental development. A promising new paradigm is topological quantum computation which uses particles with exotic statistics called anyons that do not exist naturally in three dimensions but can be engineered to emerge in two dimensional spin lattices. Our bottom up research program would help place Australia at the forefront of these ideas. As a field which combines tools from mathematics, computer science, and physics this project will provide world class training to young researchers.Read moreRead less
The Effects Of Estrogen-Responsive B Box Protein On Retinoid Sensitivity In Cancer And Its Significance In Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,421.00
Summary
Although effective, many cancer drugs often lead to side effects, especially in children. New therapies are needed that specifically target cancer cells while leaving normal cells unaffected. I am studying a novel protein (EBBP) which I believe has an important role in cancer cell growth. By studying EBBP I aim to be able to increase the effectiveness of the low toxic chemotherapy retinoic acid without increased side effects, as well as understand the functional role of EBBP in cancer cells.